New funding for the Canadian Angus Association and Holstein Canada will allow them to improve the data that goes into genetic evaluations and expand into new areas including carcass quality and traits that help limit the environmental impact of beef.
Tag Archives Holstein Canada
Funding to help make cattle data gathering easier
Partnership between Angus and Holstein association will look at sharing trait information and how to automate data management
Ronbeth Holsteins mark 17 generations VG or EX
Unique honour a first in Canada
Breeding acumen through collection of four Master Breeder shields from Holstein Canada is evident in a Hastings-area dairy farm, which can now celebrate the rare feat of having one of its cow families achieve 17 generations classified as either Very Good or Excellent. The first-in-Canada achievement “wasn’t something on our radar,” Steph Murphy told Farmtario […] Read more
Holstein Canada live shows sell out; livestream available
Tickets sold out quickly for the scaled-down scaled-down return of its Holstein Canada’s National Red-and-White and Black-and-White shows, but the organization has pledged to provide a “top-quality livestream” for those not quick enough to secure in-person tickets. The events, traditionally held in Toronto during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, were relocated to Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec after […] Read more
National Holstein show moves to Saint-Hyacinthe
The show was moved after the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was cancelled again in 2021
With post-COVID-19 regional shows done and more to come this fall, Holstein Canada is guardedly confident it can pull off a hybrid version of its national shows Nov. 17-20 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Martintown-area dairy farmer Nancy Beerwort, Eastern Ontario director to the Holstein Canada board, told Farmtario there was swift reaction from the nation’s dairy […] Read more
Holstein classifier remembered for his friendship and mentorship
A 4-H calf partnership helped the writer deal with the death of her father and create a life-long friendship
Editor’s note: Don Aylsworth passed away May 10, just shy of his 83rd birthday. Like many Holstein Canada classifiers, he was well-known on dairy farms across the country. Mel O’Shea’s family’s farm was one of the farms he visited. We always enjoyed classification day, but Don Aylsworth’s last trip to Frontenac County as a Holstein […] Read more
Major dairy breeds moving to composites for bull proofs
Use of genetic scores makes new model more responsive to changes in the dairy population
Lactanet Canada will move to composite indexes for major genetic traits as early as April, 2021 as it aims for a more responsive system for classifying dairy cattle. The change will affect breeders of Holstein, Ayrshire and Jersey cattle, while other dairy breeds will continue to be scored using the existing formula for combining descriptive […] Read more
Dairy-specific tags central to DairyTrace implementation
Developers try to minimize impacts for farmers and processors
Canada’s dairy sector will begin reporting all cattle movements to the national database DairyTrace starting Oct. 5, but administrators say the impact on day-to-day management should be minimal. What is DairyTrace? The database-to-be is described as a single, common framework for dairy farmers to track animal identity and movements. It’s a copy of a pre-existing […] Read more
Software program helps understand breeding return on investment
The Compass software brings together many sources of data to help farmers make decisions
Verifying metrics and making sure data is correct can help dairy farmers get the most out of Compass. The dairy genetics management software, provided by Holstein Canada and Lactanet is focused on breeding and genetic improvement for dairy producers. Why it matters: Breeding is a big component of dairy farm management. Recording accurate data is […] Read more
Dairy services gradually return to farms
Milk testing and classifying service organizations create step-by-step plans
Dairy service providers are starting to return to farms. Most on-farm services, including animal classification, animal welfare assessment and milk testing had been suspended due to COVID-19. Why it matters: Independent management information helps farmers make animal and farm business decisions. Lactanet, which provides on-farm milk volume and content testing, started going back onto farms […] Read more
Dairy sector shuts down most visits from off-farm providers
In agriculture, dairy farms are among those most called-on by outside services
New additions to Gerrit Herrema’s dairy barn have made it easier for his family to abide by recent directions to avoid contact with milk truck drivers to reduce COVID-19’s spread. “We have boot washes and other biosecurity measures in the barn. We need to take these measures in order to minimize the damage,” said Herrema, […] Read more
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